DEAR EVAN HANSEN at Off-Broadway's Second Stage Theatre- Page 5

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 4/10/16 at 10:12pm

The only major cast change I would personally like to see is for Michael Park to return to the role of Larry Murphy should the show move to Broadway. John Dossett is doing the best he can, but he doesn't have Michael's warmth and charm that really sold "To Break In A Glove" in DC. 

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 4/10/16 at 10:35pm

Saw this today and have A LOT of thoughts lol. (spoilers abound... Can somebody make a post that teachers you how to use that SPOILER protector?)

First off... agree that if this goes to Broadway Ben Platt will win Best Actor. It was one of the most amazing performances I have ever experienced; close to Alice Ripley in Next to Normal. This performance is a masterclass. To think of how different it is than the amazing performance he gave in Secret Garden or Book of Mormon. This guy is the real deal. 

The music in this is absolutely gorgeous. This score is phenomenal. However the structure overall could use a whole lot of work. The ending of act 1 isn't really "end of act" worthy (they had the same problem with Dogfight), and the second act spends way too much time on songs that don't forward the plot before the climax. Then after the "big secret" is revealed... we get absolutely no time to see how the hero tries to deal with it... the show just ends with a quick summary. 

This show could really be something special (the score is already something quite special) if they take some time to rework the structure of the piece. Still... I. CAN'T. WAIT. FOR. THE. SOUNDTRACK. 

[rebeccmam31]

Posted: 4/11/16 at 5:56am

ClumsyDude15 said: "The only major cast change I would personally like to see is for Michael Park to return to the role of Larry Murphy should the show move to Broadway. John Dossett is doing the best he can, but he doesn't have Michael's warmth and charm that really sold "To Break In A Glove" in DC."

 

Larry Murphy was the one character that I had difficulty connecting with.  I realize that some of that is because the character has trouble connecting with *his own* feelings, but still...  I would be interested in seeing another actor's take on the role.  Dossett's portrayal left me kind of cold.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 4/11/16 at 6:11am

Madonna the spoiler box is the plus sign next to the smiley face. When you click it the box will come up and then you can type the spoilers in the box. 

[JM226]

Posted: 4/11/16 at 7:52am

Larry Murphy was the one character that I had difficulty connecting with.  I realize that some of that is because the character has trouble connecting with *his own* feelings, but still...  I would be interested in seeing another actor's take on the role.  Dossett's portrayal left me kind of cold.

 

Park did a fantastic job in that role. i miss him in it...  hopefully he would rejoin if this transferred to Broadway.  definitely think you'd better connect to the character with him

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 4/11/16 at 9:31am

rebeccmam31 said: Larry Murphy was the one character that I had difficulty connecting with.  I realize that some of that is because the character has trouble connecting with *his own* feelings, but still...  I would be interested in seeing another actor's take on the role.  Dossett's portrayal left me kind of cold.

 

Michael Park did such a wonderful job of making you connect with the character. I remember getting teary when he sang "To Break In A Glove" because it definitely reminded me of the type of relationship I would have liked to had growing up with my father. Dossett just doesn't have that same kind of warmth to him that makes his arc work, and I think he's definitely trying, but it's difficult comparing it to Park who - for lack of a better term - knocked it out of the park. 

I think another part of it for me at least is I still see him as Mr. Pultizer from Newsies in a way. 
 

Updated On: 4/11/16 at 09:31 AM

[rebeccmam31]

Posted: 4/11/16 at 9:34am

ClumsyDude15 said: "rebeccmam31 said: Larry Murphy was the one character that I had difficulty connecting with.  I realize that some of that is because the character has trouble connecting with *his own* feelings, but still...  I would be interested in seeing another actor's take on the role.  Dossett's portrayal left me kind of cold.

 

Michael Park did such a wonderful job of making you connect with the character. I remember getting teary when he sang "To Break In A Glove" because it definitely reminded me of the type of relationship I would have liked to had growing up with my father. Dossett just doesn't have that same kind of warmth to him that makes his arc work, and I think he's definitely trying, but it's difficult comparing it to Park who - for lack of a better term - knocked it out of the park. 

I think another part of it for me at least is I still see him as Mr. Pultizer from Newsies in a way. "

 

I hope it does transfer and that he returns.  I'm taking my daughter and one of her best friends to New York in the fall, and I would definitely consider this for one of our shows that weekend.  I think she would really like it (and, to be honest, could likely benefit from some of the lessons in it ).

 

 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/11/16 at 11:08am

As someone who has only seen Dossett in the role, I'd just like to say that I had no problem with him. He broke my heart with his verse in the song "Requiem" (everything about that number had be crying my eyes out!). And I could really see the character's pain "To Break in a Glove." A lot of that is the writing, of course, but I thought he played it well. I mean, I'm not SHOCKED to find out that Park might have done it better, but I enjoyed Dossett's performance. 

[HSky]

Posted: 4/11/16 at 12:26pm

I didn't mind Dossett but would also love to see Park back in the role, especially since there are some extra lines to know Larry better, and "To Break in a Glove" grows on me each time I see the show. (Initially I wasn't too fond of the pacing.) I'd also be curious to see Asa Somers go on.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/11/16 at 3:17pm

The bench is deep on this show, too with understudies!  Would love to see Canonico go on in ALL the young male roles, as well as Zaken and Somers!   

 

I really didn't connect with the Break in a Glove song.  I get the point of the song, but it seems a bit odd to me -- maybe a bit too much rubbing of the glove.   I think that 's the only song I didn't care for, but am excited about what other changes they make.  

 

I think I "must" go back and see this again, and there is surprising decent ticket availability on a number of dates I checked.  I have no idea if this is viable for the b'way stage, but certainly hope it continues on after 2nd Stage.  Pasek and Paul will make a fortune when this gets released for high schools!

[Alex M]

Posted: 4/11/16 at 5:15pm

Saw the show Saturday....I loved it more then i could say! I really hope theres a broadway transfer next season!

[aaaaaa15]

Posted: 4/14/16 at 9:40am

Anyone have any thoughts on the chance of this extending?

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/14/16 at 10:08am

I've been trying to get rush tix for this show every day at 10am but my fingers are just not fast enough. Does the theater have SRO policy?

[talinatter]

Posted: 4/14/16 at 1:50pm

Yes!!! Go to the theatre an hour and a half before the show to get $25 tickets! I went and my seats were perfect: back row center. There's not a bad seat in the house! They said there are usually 10 or so student rush tickets, just bring an ID! 

[CurtainsUpat8]

Posted: 4/15/16 at 11:52pm

I saw this tonight. I am not going to get into the detail right now. Let me just say....This is the best musical I have seen since Fun Home and before that The Light in the Piazza. ( I haven't seen Hamilton to be honest)  I loved that it was an original story, not based on a book or movie. I don't care what negative things people have written here. Dear Evan Hansen will move to Broadway and next year Ben Platt will win the Tony.  Of course it's so incredibly early, but the musical will be nominated for Best Musical and probably win.  And there are several reasons, but it has all the elements. A fantastic score, a stunning performance by the main character, and most importantly... where all other musicals fail... it has a really wonderful book. The Direction was fine in the sense it didn't hamper the story. If I had one thing to say that I would change, and this isn't really a big spoiler... I would have the main character on the stage alone at the end. It reminded me of a modern Charlie Brown story. (I was the first person to make that comparison... that I have read..... so you can say you read it here first.)

[talinatter]

Posted: 4/16/16 at 9:21am

I saw it for the second time last night and I enjoyed it a lot more, and for those wondering there were lots of clear changes made. In "requiem" Zoe used to sing "why should I play the grieving girl and cry saying that I missed you" but the word cry was changed to lie which was very powerful. In to break in a glove, it certainly felt shorter, and almost half of it was sung by Evan as well which I enjoyed. In you will be found they had hundreds of people hold up signs saying #youwillbefound in videos (they had a fan contest to collect the videos on Twitter, so it was cool to see fans in the set). And most importantly, they fixed the end to make it a lot more meaningful; to make the ending scene more powerful. They said that the murphys didn't tell anyone how he was lying, and how Evan was living with his own personal guilt. Zoe said that her family needed him to lie and that everyone needed it. I liked the change a lot better because in the early ending, I felt kind of unsatisfied and really sad for Evan. But now, at least knowing that Zoe somewhat defended him, I really enjoyed the ending a lot more. This show is, again, just so wonderful and I really do hope it moves to Broadway. Ben Platt gives such a thoughtful and meaningful performance and I hope he can still look you enough for the role if it transfers, and of course Michael Park I haven't personally seen in the show but I'm sure he adds to it. The entire cast is so incredible and the creative team and I'm so in love. It is so new and original yet relevant to everyone. 

[Gpvegas]

Posted: 4/18/16 at 9:10am

I had  the pleasure of seeing this last night.  It was an excellent night.  I enjoyed the show so much.  I purposely did not read anything about the show other then the good word of mouth.  I was amazed how much I loved this show.  Ben Platt was absolutely amazing in the role. 

I did have front row seats and felt they were great seats.  I will be back to see it and plan to sit a bit farther back to get a different view.  

My sister in law went with me and she too loved it.  I highly recommend this show.

 

 

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 4/18/16 at 10:04am

Persistance pays off - got rush ticket from TodayTix for Saturday Apr 16 evening performance -  and can't wait to go back!  Seat was in row M (next to last row) but given the size of the theater, this is pretty much like sitting in first row of the front mezz in a Broadway house.

 

 

 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/18/16 at 11:05am

Congrats! Did you just happen to tap the button at the right time? (I haven't tried since the first week.)

[LarryD2]

Posted: 4/18/16 at 7:24pm

Can anyone who's seen the show give me some seating advice? They're currently offering me third row, all the way to the side (seats 6 & 7) or Row M in the center. I usually prefer to sit closer to the stage, but wondering if more centered seats would be better.

[talinatter]

Posted: 4/18/16 at 7:29pm

There is no bad seat in the house. It is a very small theatre so I think you will get a great view either way. I have sat fourth row on the aisle and last row in the center and both were perfect. It depends if you want to see the overall show or the characters facials close up. I would recommend M in the center because the stage is so small that you will get a much clearer view, and it may be hard to see from that far on the side because of the size

[LarryD2]

Posted: 4/18/16 at 7:33pm

Thanks. I have seen many shows in the theater, but sometimes the set design can make sitting to the extreme side not ideal. Just wanted to make sure that wasn't the case for this show. 

[HSky]

Posted: 4/18/16 at 7:34pm

The NY staging brings some pieces to center stage that previously were underneath the orchestra balcony (stage right) in DC, so if you're worried about anything not being clearly visible, I don't think that would be an issue. Personally, I'd go with the closer seats and if I were offered seats in the same row on either end and had a choice, the ones you're being offered are the side I'd pick. (When the action is off to the sides, I feel like it's slightly skewed to stage right.)

Updated On: 4/18/16 at 07:34 PM

[talinatter]

Posted: 4/18/16 at 7:37pm

I sat in the absolute last row center and had an amazing view. I personally like seeing all of what happens on stage, so I would recommend the farther back seats!

[macnyc]

Posted: 4/22/16 at 6:55am

I saw the show last night and enjoyed it, but I had an absolutely horrible view courtesy of the TodayTix rush. I was seated in the balcony behind some lighting equipment. Yes, you read that right. There was a pole with lights and two square speakers attached to it directly in my field of vision. Plus, the two people to my left were in roughly the same predicament with 30 under 30 tickets. 

 

At intermission I asked to be reseated but was informed the show was sold out. I told the assistant manager that those seats should not be put on sale. Sad to say, I think the bad view was a huge distraction because I was always worried that the action would move to the part of the stage I didn't see! 

 

The rest of the balcony is just fine though. The problem is just with the three seats blocked by the lights.

 

Updated On: 4/22/16 at 06:55 AM